wearables News

Wearable devices are increasingly becoming commonplace. However, there are some safety concerns that consumers should be aware of, especially with substandard devices. These issues include electrical overheating, biocompatibility and data security.

Bejing -
Apple is investigating a factory in southwest China after a labour rights group said the tech giant's supplier forced student workers to work "like robots" to assemble its popular Apple Watch.

Sleep trackers fall short when it comes to improving sleep. According to Mike Kisch, founder and CEO of Beddr, wrist-worn devices cannot accurately gauge sleeping position and lack FDA clearance to make a diagnosis.

Google has renamed Android Wear, confirming that references to the new platform found inside Android P were genuine. The company said the new name, "Wear OS by Google," reflects the platform's aims of providing a wearable ecosystem "for everyone."

Audio brand Bose has announced it's entering the augmented reality market with its own set of smart glasses. The current prototype aims to evolve the role of audio in augmented reality, a technology which is currently dominated by visual experiences.

Fitbit has announced its long-rumoured Versa smartwatch, designed as an alternative to products like the Apple Watch. Unlike Fitbit's Ionic smartwatch, the Versa is lower-priced and aimed at a wider market. It retains most of the Ionic's features.

Evidence found inside the Android P Developer Preview suggests Google's planning to rebrand Android Wear as "Wear OS." The name change, accompanied by a revised logo, could indicate a renewed push into wearables as Google tries to increase sales.

A new type of wearable device has been designed to assist people recovering from stakes. The device a sensor that measures speech and swallowing patterns and it has been designed by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University.

Wearable health technology has grown considerably in recent years, from devices for babies to joggers. How effective are these instruments? New research casts doubt on the overall effectiveness of many devices.

Amazon has patented a design for a smart wristband which could be used to identify warehouse workers and track their movements. The device was devised in 2016 and is presented as a way to help warehouse employees pick items more quickly.

Brighton -
Monitoring the health of babies is an important concern that many parents share. Many of the emerging wearable devices are relatively inaccurate. Better monitoring accuracy can be introduced through the application of graphene-based sensors.

Ulsan -
Power on the move has taken a step forwards with the invention of a new type of energy harvesting system. The system is capable of generating electricity by simply being attached to clothes, as well as windows, and outer walls of a building.

If the wearable technology market is to progress, developers will need to understand the science of human skin better, a new report suggests. Future technologies are set to cover conditions like heart conditions, diabetes, and pain relief.

Daegu -
A newly developed soft, stick-on patch is capable of collecting, analyzing and wirelessly transmitting a variety of health metrics from the body to a smartphone. It is another example of developments in digital health.

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 3 will have an "all-new form factor" according to a noted Apple tipster. Apple could be planning a major redesign of the popular wearable as it tries to convince early Watch buyers to upgrade to a newer model.

Google has unveiled Google Glass Enterprise Edition. The company is hoping to usher in a new era for the wearable computer after bugs and privacy concerns saw the original consumer version dismissed as before its time. Google's now targeting businesses.

Jawbone has announced it's shutting down and liquidating its assets. The 18-year-old technology company, best known in recent years for its work in the wearables market, was once worth $3 billion. It's one of the biggest tech firms ever to collapse.

Brooklyn -
Forget the Internet of Things, the idea that soon everyday objects will be connected to the Internet. ‘Digital prophet’ David Shing believes that the future belongs to the Internet of Emotions.

Google has published the first software update for its Google Glass wearable computer since 2014. The minor release adds one feature to the device. It isn't known why Google has launched the update now as the consumer version of Glass has been abandoned.

Barcelona -
The current consumer demand for small-sized electronic devices requires new approaches for their design. One answer is nanowires, according to scientists from the University of the Basque Country.

Apple has launched the fourth major version of its watchOS platform for the Apple Watch. It features more of an emphasis on fitness capabilities than previous iterations, including the option of smart activity coaching. There's also a new Siri watch face.

Another major smartwatch manufacturer could leave Google's struggling Android Wear platform. ASUS has been one of only a handful of brands to see relative success in the market. It is now pulling out after facing sales of just a few thousand each month.